The Health Care and Associated Professions (Knowledge of English) Order 2015

Necessary knowledge of English: applicants for registration in the register of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians

49.  After article 23, insert—

“Supplementary provisions as to necessary knowledge of English

23A.— (1) The Council must publish guidance about—

(a) the evidence, information or documents to be provided by an applicant for the purpose of satisfying the Registrar under article 20(1)(a)(iia) or (2)(a)(iia) that the applicant has the necessary knowledge of English; and

(b) the process by which the Registrar is to determine whether the Registrar is satisfied as mentioned in paragraph (a).

(2) The Registrar must have regard to the guidance published under paragraph (1) in determining whether the Registrar is satisfied as mentioned in paragraph (1)(a).

(3) Paragraphs (4) and (6) apply if, having considered any evidence, information or documents provided by the applicant in support of the applicant’s application, the Registrar is not satisfied under article 20(1)(a)(iia) or (2)(a)(iia) that the applicant has the necessary knowledge of English.

(4) The Registrar may request the applicant to provide further evidence, information or documents within such period as the Registrar may specify.

(5) The Registrar may not exercise any power under paragraph (4) unless the Registrar has complied with any duty under article 24(2B).

(6) The Registrar may require the applicant—

(a) to undergo an examination or other assessment; and

(b) to provide information in respect of that examination or assessment,

within such period as the Registrar may specify.

(7) In the case of an applicant who is an exempt person, the Registrar may not exercise the power under paragraph (6) without having first—

(a) exercised the power under paragraph (4); and

(b) considered any further evidence, information or documents provided by the applicant.

(8) Guidance published under paragraph (1) may make different provision in relation to different cases or classes of case.

(9) Before issuing such guidance, or varying or withdrawing it, the Council must consult such persons or organisations as it considers appropriate, including, where it considers appropriate, persons appearing to it to represent the organisations specified in article 5(1)(a) to (g).

(10) In this article, references to an applicant are references to a person applying under article 23 for entry or renewal of entry in Part 1 of the Register as a pharmacist, or in Part 2 of the Register as a pharmacy technician.”.